The commanding officer of the 42nd Precinct says being in the boxing ring since he was a child helped get him through many rounds in life.

Deputy Inspector Ernest Morales III has been in the NYPD for 28 years, but he's been boxing for almost his entire life. 

“Boxing was my way out of the slums of New York City back in the 70s and 80s,” says Morales.

Morales says he grew up in a single-parent home and had to fight for what he wanted. His first fight in the ring was at the young age of 11 years old.

"I had two goals growing up, be a New York City police officer and a professional boxer. I'm fortunate enough to say I’ve accomplished both,” he says.

After years of amateur fights around the city and the world, Morales competed in his first and only professional fight at 20 years old and won, but the other dream was waiting.

Now as a leader, he is still fighting for what he wants and what's right, both in the gym and on the job.

“If I feel I’m right on something I’m willing to make rounds to make my point particularly when it comes to representing my men and women here at the 42nd Precinct. We've gone a long way with establishing relationships with the community,” says Morales.

Over the years, he's trained some of his officers and more importantly children in the neighborhood, knowing full well what boxing gave him as a young boy.

“Programs are essential to keeping kids off the streets. So, we have to have centers not only as safe havens but to give children the opportunity to work out,” says Morales.